Episodic Accretion Events Research Articles

Early Planet Formation in Embedded Disks. XI. A High-resolution View Toward the BHR 71 Class 0 Protostellar Wide Binary

We present Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) observations of the binary Class 0 protostellar system BHR 71 IRS1 and IRS2 as part of the Early Planet Formation in Embedded Disks (eDisk) ALMA Large Program. We describe the 12CO (J = 2–1), 13CO (J = 2–1), C18O (J = 2–1), H2CO (J = 32,1–22,0), and SiO (J = 5–4) molecular lines along with the 1.3 mm continuum at high spatial resolution (∼0.″08 or ∼5 au). Dust continuum emission is detected toward BHR 71 IRS1 and IRS2, with a central compact component and extended continuum emission. The compact components are smooth and show no sign of substructures such as spirals, rings, or gaps. However, there is a brightness asymmetry along the minor axis of the presumed disk in IRS1, possibly indicative of an inclined geometrically and optically thick disk-like component. Using a position–velocity diagram analysis of the C18O line, clear Keplerian motions were not detected toward either source. If Keplerian rotationally supported disks are present, they are likely deeply embedded in their envelope. However, we can set upper limits of the central protostellar mass of 0.46 M ⊙ and 0.26 M ⊙ for BHR 71 IRS1 and BHR 71 IRS2, respectively. Outflows traced by 12CO and SiO are detected in both sources. The outflows can be divided into two components, a wide-angle outflow and a jet. In IRS1, the jet exhibits a double helical structure, reflecting the removal of angular momentum from the system. In IRS2, the jet is very collimated and shows a chain of knots, suggesting episodic accretion events.

Simulated analogues I: apparent and physical evolution of young binary protostellar systems

ABSTRACT Protostellar binaries harbour complex environment morphologies. Observations represent a snapshot in time, and projection and optical depth effects impair our ability to interpret them. Careful comparison with high-resolution models that include the larger star-forming region can help isolate the driving physical processes and give context in the time domain to the observations. We carry out four zoom-in simulations with au scale resolution that result in three binaries and a single star. For the first time ever, we follow the detailed evolution of a protobinary in a full molecular cloud context until a circumbinary disc forms. We investigate the gas dynamics around the young stars and extract disc sizes. Using radiative transfer, we obtain the evolutionary tracer Tbol of the binary systems. We find that the centrifugal radius in prestellar cores is a poor estimator of the resulting disc size due to angular momentum transport at all scales. For binaries, the disc sizes are regulated periodically by the binary orbit, having larger radii close to the apastron. The bolometric temperature differs systematically between edge-on and face-on views and shows a high-frequency time dependence correlated with the binary orbit and a low-frequency time dependence with larger episodic accretion events. These oscillations can cause the appearance of the system to change rapidly from class 0 to class I and, for short periods, even bring it to class II. The highly complex structure in early stages, as well as the binary orbit itself, affects the classical interpretation of protostellar classes, and the direct translation to evolutionary stages has to be done with caution and include other evolutionary indicators such as the extent of envelope material.

M17 MIR: A Massive Star Is Forming via Episodic Mass Accretion

We analyzed the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) band 6 data for the outbursting massive protostar M17 MIR. The ALMA CO J = 2–1 data reveal a collimated and bipolar north–south outflow from M17 MIR. The blueshifted outflow exhibits four CO knots (N1 to N4) along the outflow axis, while the redshifted outflow appears as a single knot (S1). The extremely high velocity (EHV) emissions of N1 and S1 are jetlike and contain subknots along the outflow axis. Assuming the nearest EHV subknots trace the ejecta from the accretion outbursts in the past decades, a tangential ejection velocity of ∼421 km s−1 is derived for M17 MIR. Assuming the same velocity, the dynamical times of the multiple ejecta, traced by the four blueshifted CO knots, range from 20 to 364 yr. The four blueshifted CO knots imply four clustered accretion outbursts with a duration of tens of years in the past few hundred years. The intervals between the four clustered accretion outbursts are also about tens of years. These properties of the four clustered accretion outbursts are in line with the disk gravitational instability and fragmentation model. The episodic accretion history of M17 MIR traced by episodic outflow suggests that a massive star can form from a lower-mass protostar via frequent episodic accretion events triggered by disk gravitational instability and fragmentation. The first detection of the knotty outflow from an outbursting massive protostar suggests that mass ejections accompanied with accretion events could serve as an effective diagnostic tool for the episodic accretion histories of massive protostars.

Time-dependent, long-term hydrodynamic simulations of the inner protoplanetary disk. III. The influence of photoevaporation

The final stages of a protoplanetary disk are essential for our understanding of the formation and evolution of planets. Photoevaporation is an important mechanism that contributes to the dispersal of an accretion disk and has significant consequences for the disk's lifetime. However, the combined effects of photoevaporation and star-disk interaction have not been investigated in previous studies. A photoevaporative disk evolution model including a detailed formulation of the inner star-disk interaction region will improve the understanding of the final stages of disk evolution. We combined an implicit disk evolution model with a photoevaporative mass-loss profile. By including the innermost disk regions down to 0.01 AU, we could calculate the star-disk interaction, the stellar spin evolution, and the transition from an accreting disk to the propeller regime self-consistently. Starting from an early Class II star-disk system (with an age of 1 Myr), we calculated the long-term evolution of the system until the disk becomes almost completely dissolved. Photoevaporation has a significant effect on disk structure and evolution. The radial extent of the dead zone decreases, and the number of episodic accretion events (outbursts) is reduced by high stellar X-ray luminosities. Reasonable accretion rates ($> 10^ M_ / yr $) in combination with photoevaporative gaps are possible for a dead zone that is still massive enough to develop episodic accretion events. Furthermore, the stellar spin evolution during the Class II evolution is less affected by the star-disk interaction in the case of high X-ray luminosities. Our results suggest that the formation of planets, especially habitable planets, in the dead zone is strongly impaired in the case of strong X-ray luminosities. Additionally, the importance of the star-disk interaction during the Class II phase with respect to the stellar spin evolution is reduced.

Episodicity in accretion-ejection processes associated with IRAS 15398-3359

The protostar is associated with a bipolar molecular outflow ejected in an nearly northeast-southwest (NE-SW) direction, which has been extensively studied. Previous episodic accretion events have been suggested by this source. Furthermore, the analysis of the morphology and kinematics of the molecular outflow revealed the presence of four bipolar elliptical shock-like structures identified in both lobes. These structures seem to trace different ejections inclined sim 10 from each other on the plane of the sky. This led to the hypothesis that the outflow axis likely precesses and launches material episodically. Since several authors reached the conclusion of the same episodicity scenario by independent observations has become an ideal target to empirically analyze the relationship between accretion and ejection processes. We analyzed ALMA archive observations in Band 6, revealing the presence of low-velocity ($<3.5$ emission from the line to the south and north of the protostar. We studied the morphology and kinematics of the gas; our study seems to support the hypothesis of a precessing episodic outflow. The ALMA observations reveal a north-south (N-S) outflow most likely associated with the protostellar system. This outflow could be older than the well-studied NE-SW outflow. The orientation of the N-S outflow is 50 on the plane of the sky away from that of the NE-SW outflow. We also analyzed the spectral energy distribution of a far away young star and preliminarily discard it as the driver of the SE outflow remnants. The new observations support the hypothesis of strong episodic accretion-ejection events in accompanied by dramatic changes in the orientation of its ejection axis, implying that all the outflows in the region may have been driven by the same protostar.

Multiple Jets in the Bursting Protostar HOPS 373SW

We present the outflows detected in HOPS 373SW, a protostar undergoing a modest 30% brightness increase at 850 μm. Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array observations of shock tracers, including SiO 8–7, CH3OH 7k–6k, and 12CO 3–2 emission, reveal several outflow features around HOPS 373SW. The knots in the extremely high-velocity SiO emission reveal the wiggle of the jet, for which a simple model derives a 37° inclination angle of the jet to the plane of the sky, a jet velocity of 90 km s−1, and a period of 50 yr. The slow SiO and CH3OH emission traces U-shaped bow shocks surrounding the two CO outflows. One outflow is associated with the high-velocity jets, while the other is observed to be close to the plane of the sky. The misaligned outflows imply that previous episodic accretion events have either reoriented HOPS 373SW or that it is an unresolved protostellar binary system with misaligned outflows.

Spectroscopic confirmation of high-amplitude eruptive YSOs and dipping giants from the VVV survey

ABSTRACT During the pre-main-sequence (pre-MS) evolution stage of a star, significant amounts of stellar mass are accreted during episodic accretion events, such as multidecade FUor-type outbursts. Here, we present a near-infrared spectroscopic follow-up study of 33 high-amplitude (most with ΔKs > 4 mag) variable sources discovered by the Vista Variables in the Via Lactea (VVV) survey. Based on the spectral features, 25 sources are classified as eruptive young stellar objects (YSOs), including 15 newly identified FUors, six with long-lasting, but EXor-like bursts of magnetospheric accretion and four displaying outflow-dominated spectra. By examining the photometric behaviours of eruptive YSOs, we found most FUor-type outbursts have higher amplitudes (ΔKs and ΔW2), faster eruptive time-scales and bluer infrared colours than the other outburst types. In addition, we identified seven post-MS variables apparently associated with deep dipping events and an eruptive star with deep aluminium monoxide absorption bands resembling those seen in the V838 Mon stellar merger.

What governs the spin distribution of very young < 1 Myr low-mass stars

Context. The origin of the stellar spin distribution at young ages is still unclear. Even in very young clusters (∼1 Myr), a significant spread is observed in rotational periods ranging from ≲1 to ∼10 days. Aims. We study the parameters that might govern the spin distribution of low-mass stars (≲1.0 M⊙) during the first million years of their evolution. Methods. We compute the evolution and rotational periods of young stars, using the MESA code, starting from a stellar seed, and take protostellar accretion, stellar winds, and magnetic star–disk interaction into account. Furthermore, we add a certain fraction of the energy of accreted material into the stellar interior as additional heat and combine the resulting effects on stellar evolution with the stellar spin model. Results. For different combinations of parameters, stellar periods at an age of 1 Myr range between 0.6 days and 12.9 days. Thus, during the relatively short time period of 1 Myr, a significant amount of stellar angular momentum can already be removed by the interaction between the star and its accretion disk. The amount of additional heat added into the stellar interior, the accretion history, and the presence of a disk and stellar winds have the strongest impact on the stellar spin evolution during the first million years. The slowest stellar rotations result from a combination of strong magnetic fields, a large amount of additional heat, and effective winds. The fastest rotators combine weak magnetic fields and ineffective winds or result from a small amount of additional heat added to the star. Scenarios that could lead to such configurations are discussed. Different initial rotation periods of the stellar seed, on the other hand, quickly converge and do not affect the stellar period at all. Conclusions. Our model matches up to 90% of the observed rotation periods in six young clusters (≲3 Myr). Based on these intriguing results, we were motivated to combine our model with a hydrodynamic disk evolution code to self-consistently include several important aspects, such as episodic accretion events, magnetic disk winds, and internal and external photoevaporation. This combined model could replace the widely used disk-locking model during the lifetime of the accretion disk, and could provide valuable insights into the origin of the rotational period distribution of young clusters.

The sharp ALMA view of infall and outflow in the massive protocluster G31.41+0.31

Context.To better understand the formation of high-mass stars, it is fundamental to investigate how matter accretes onto young massive stars, how it is ejected, and how all this differs from the low-mass case. The massive protocluster G31.41+0.31 is the ideal target to study all these processes because observations at millimeter and centimeter wavelengths have resolved the emission of the Main core into at least four massive dust continuum sources, named A, B, C, and D, within 1″ or 0.018 pc, and have identified signatures of infall and several outflows associated with the core.Aims.We study the interplay between infall and outflow in G31.41+0.31, at a spatial resolution of a few 100 au, by investigating their properties and their possible impact on the core.Methods.We carried out molecular line observations of typical high-density tracers, such as CH3CN or H2CO, and shock and outflow tracers, such as SiO, with ALMA at 1.4 mm that achieved an angular resolution of ~0.′′09 (~340 au).Results.The observations reveal inverse P Cygni profiles in CH3CN and H2CO toward the four sources embedded in the Main core, suggesting that all of them are undergoing collapse. The infall rates estimated from the redshifted absorption are on the order of ~10−2M⊙yr−1. The individual infall rates imply that the accretion timescale of the Main core is an order of magnitude smaller than its rotation timescale. This confirms that rotating toroids such as the G31 Main core are non-equilibrium, transient collapsing structures that need to be constantly replenished with fresh material from a large-scale reservoir. For sources B, C, and D the infall could be accelerating inside the sources, while for source A the presence of a second emission component complicates the interpretation. The SiO observations have revealed the presence of at least six outflows in the G31.41+0.31 star-forming region, and suggest that each of the four sources embedded in the Main core drives a molecular outflow. The outflow rates are on the order of ~10−5–10−4M⊙yr−1, depending on the SiO abundance. The feedback of the outflows appears sufficient to sustain the turbulence in the core and to eventually disrupt the core or prevent its further collapse. The mass accretion rates onto the individual sources, estimated from the highest values of the outflow mass loss rates, are on the order of 10−4M⊙yr−1. The difference of about two orders of magnitude between the accretion rates and the infall rates suggests that the central stars and the jets and outflows might not be efficient in removing disk material, which could lead to gravitational instabilities, fragmentation of the disk, and episodic accretion events.Conclusions.Infall and outflows are simultaneously present in all four sources embedded in the high-mass star-forming core G31.41+0.31. This indicates that these sources are still actively accreting and have not reached their final mass yet, which confirms the youth of this massive core.

The Nature of Ice Intermittently Accreted at the Base of Ronne Ice Shelf, Antarctica, Assessed Using Phase‐Sensitive Radar

AbstractIn‐situ phase‐sensitive radar measurements from the Ronne Ice Shelf (RIS) reveal evidence of intermittent basal accretion periods at several sites that are melting in the long‐term mean. Periods when ice is accreted at the ice‐shelf base coincide with a decrease in the amplitude of the basal return of up to 4 dB. To quantify basal accretion we constrain simultaneously the dielectric constant, electrical conductivity, and thickness of the accreted ice. We do this by exploring the sensitivity of the received basal echo strength and phase to different transmit frequencies using the radar data in combination with a simple model. Along the western RIS, we detect episodic basal accretion events leading to ice accumulation at a rate equivalent to 1–3 mm of meteoric ice per day. The inferred accumulation rates and electromagnetic properties of the accreted ice imply that these events are caused primarily by the deposition of frazil ice crystals. Our findings offer the possibility of monitoring and studying the evolution of boundaries between ice‐shelf basal melting and accretion regimes using remote observations, collected from the ice‐shelf surface.

Migrating Planets into Ultra-short-period Orbits during Episodic Accretion Events

Abstract Ultra-short-period (USP) planets reside inside the expected truncation radius for typical T Tauri disks. As a result, their current orbital locations require an explanation beyond standard disk migration or in situ formation. Modern theories of planet–disk interactions indicate that once a planet migrates close to the disk’s inner truncation radius, Type I torques vanish or switch direction, depending on the stellar and disk conditions, so that the planet is expected to stop its orbital decay and become trapped. In this work, we show that that magnetically driven sub-Keplerian gas flow in the inner disk can naturally counteract these effects and produce systems with USP planets at their observed orbital radii. The sub-Keplerian gas flow provides a headwind to small planets, and the resulting torque can overcome the effects of outward Type I migration near the corotation radius. For suitable disk and planet parameters, the torques due to the sub-Keplerian gas flow lead to inward migration on a rapid timescale. Over the time span of an FU Ori outburst, which moves the disk truncation radius inward, the rapid headwind migration can place planets in USP orbits. The combination of headwind migration and FU Ori outbursts thus provides a plausible mechanism to move small planets from a = 0.05–0.1 au down to a = 0.01–0.02 au. This effect is amplified for low-mass planets, consistent with existing observations.

FAUST. II. Discovery of a Secondary Outflow in IRAS 15398−3359: Variability in Outflow Direction during the Earliest Stage of Star Formation?

Abstract We have observed the very low-mass Class 0 protostar IRAS 15398−3359 at scales ranging from 50 to 1800 au, as part of the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array Large Program FAUST. We uncover a linear feature, visible in H2CO, SO, and C18O line emission, which extends from the source in a direction almost perpendicular to the known active outflow. Molecular line emission from H2CO, SO, SiO, and CH3OH further reveals an arc-like structure connected to the outer end of the linear feature and separated from the protostar, IRAS 15398−3359, by 1200 au. The arc-like structure is blueshifted with respect to the systemic velocity. A velocity gradient of 1.2 km s−1 over 1200 au along the linear feature seen in the H2CO emission connects the protostar and the arc-like structure kinematically. SO, SiO, and CH3OH are known to trace shocks, and we interpret the arc-like structure as a relic shock region produced by an outflow previously launched by IRAS 15398−3359. The velocity gradient along the linear structure can be explained as relic outflow motion. The origins of the newly observed arc-like structure and extended linear feature are discussed in relation to turbulent motions within the protostellar core and episodic accretion events during the earliest stage of protostellar evolution.

Kozai–Lidov oscillations triggered by a tilt instability of detached circumplanetary discs

ABSTRACT Circumplanetary discs can be linearly unstable to the growth of disc tilt in the tidal potential of the star–planet system. We use 3D hydrodynamical simulations to characterize the disc conditions needed for instability, together with its long-term evolution. Tilt growth occurs for disc aspect ratios, evaluated near the disc outer edge, of H/r ≳ 0.05, with a weak dependence on viscosity in the wave-like regime of warp propagation. Lower mass giant planets are more likely to have circumplanetary discs that satisfy the conditions for instability. We show that the tilt instability can excite the inclination to above the threshold where the circumplanetary disc becomes unstable to Kozai–Lidov (KL) oscillations. Dissipation in the KL unstable regime caps further tilt growth, but the disc experiences large oscillations in both inclination and eccentricity. Planetary accretion occurs in episodic accretion events. We discuss implications of the joint tilt–KL instability for the detectability of circumplanetary discs, for the obliquity evolution of forming giant planets, and for the formation of satellite systems.

Resolving the FU Orionis System with ALMA: Interacting Twin Disks?

Abstract FU Orionis objects are low-mass pre-main sequence stars characterized by dramatic outbursts several magnitudes in brightness. These outbursts are linked to episodic accretion events in which stars gain a significant portion of their mass. The physical processes behind these accretion events are not yet well understood. The archetypal FU Ori system, FU Orionis, is composed of two young stars with detected gas and dust emission. The continuum emitting regions have not been resolved until now. Here, we present 1.3 mm observations of the FU Ori binary system using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array. The disks are resolved at 40 mas resolution. Radiative transfer modeling shows that the emission from FU Ori north (primary) is consistent with a dust disk with a characteristic radius of ∼11 au. The ratio between the major and minor axes shows that the inclination of the disk is ∼37°. FU Ori south is consistent with a dust disk of similar inclination and size. Assuming the binary orbit shares the same inclination angle as the disks, the deprojected distance between the north and south components is 0.″6, i.e., ∼250 au. Maps of 12CO emission show a complex kinematic environment with signature disk rotation at the location of the northern component, and also (to a lesser extent) for FU Ori south. The revised disk geometry allows us to update FU Ori accretion models, yielding a stellar mass and mass accretion rate of FU Ori north of 0.6 M ⊙ and 3.8 × 10−5 M ⊙ yr−1, respectively.

Infrared and sub-mm observations of outbursting young stars with Herschel and Spitzer

Context. Episodic accretion plays an important role in the evolution of young stars. Although it has been under investigation for a long time, the origin of such episodic accretion events is not yet understood. Aims. We investigate the dust and gas emission of a sample of young outbursting sources in the infrared to get a better understanding of their properties and circumstellar material, and we use the results in a further work to model the objects. Methods. We used Herschel data, from our PI program of 12 objects and complemented with archival observations to obtain the spectral energy distributions (SEDs) and spectra of our targets. We report here the main characteristics of our sample, focussing on the SED properties and on the gas emission lines detected in the PACS and SPIRE spectra. Results. The SEDs of our sample show the diversity of the outbursting sources, with several targets showing strong emission in the far-infrared from the embedded objects. Most of our targets reside in a complex environment, which we discuss in detail. We detected several atomic and molecular lines, in particular rotational CO emission from several transitions from J = 38−37 to J = 4−3. We constructed rotational diagrams for the CO lines, and derived in three domains of assumed local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) temperatures and column densities, ranging mainly between 0−100 K and 400−500 K. We confirm correlation in our sample between intense CO J = 16−15 emission and the column density of the warm domain of CO, N(warm). We notice a strong increase in luminosity of HH 381 IRS and a weaker increase for PP 13 S, which shows the beginning of an outburst.

Observational signatures of outbursting protostars - I: From hydrodynamic simulations to observations

Abstract Accretion onto protostars may occur in sharp bursts. Accretion bursts during the embedded phase of young protostars are probably most intense, but can only be inferred indirectly through long-wavelength observations. We perform radiative transfer calculations for young stellar objects (YSOs) formed in hydrodynamic simulations to predict the long wavelength, sub-mm and mm, flux responses to episodic accretion events, taking into account heating from the young protostar and from the interstellar radiation field. We find that the flux increase due to episodic accretion events is more prominent at sub-mm wavelengths than at mm wavelengths; e.g. a factor of ∼570 increase in the luminosity of the young protostar leads to a flux increase of a factor of 47 at 250 $\mu$m but only a factor of 10 at 1.3 mm. Heating from the interstellar radiation field may reduce further the flux increase observed at longer wavelengths. We find that during FU Ori-type outbursts the bolometric temperature and luminosity may incorrectly classify a source as a more evolved YSO due to a larger fraction of the radiation of the object being emitted at shorter wavelengths.

Oblique magnetic fields and the role of frame dragging

Magnetic null points can develop near the ergosphere boundary of a rotating black hole through the combined effects of strong gravitational field and the frame‐dragging mechanism. The electric component does not vanish in the magnetic null, and an efficient process or particle acceleration can occur. The situation is relevant to starving (low‐accretion‐rate, such as the Milky Way's supermassive black hole [SMBH]) nuclei of some galaxies that exhibit only episodic accretion events. The presence of the magnetic field of external origin is an important aspect. We propose that such conditions can develop when a magnetized neutron star approaches the SMBH during late stages of its inspiral motion. The field lines of the neutron star dipole thread the black hole's event horizon and rapidly change their connectivity. We compare the case of a dipole‐type magnetic field of a sinking and orbiting star near a nonrotating black hole and the near‐horizon structure of an asymptotically uniform magnetic field of a distant source near a fast‐rotating black hole. Although the two cases are qualitatively different from each other, they both develop magnetically neutral null points near the event horizon.

The Changing-look Quasar Mrk 590 Is Awakening

Abstract Mrk 590 was originally classified as a Seyfert 1 galaxy, but then it underwent dramatic changes: the nuclear luminosity dropped by over two orders of magnitude and the broad emission lines all but disappeared from the optical spectrum. Here we present follow-up observations to the original discovery and characterization of this “changing-look” active galactic nucleus (AGN). The new Chandra and Hubble Space Telescope observations from 2014 show that Mrk 590 is awakening, changing its appearance again. While the source continues to be in a low state, its soft excess has re-emerged, though not to the previous level. The UV continuum is brighter by more than a factor of two and the broad Mg ii emission line is present, indicating that the ionizing continuum is also brightening. These observations suggest that the soft excess is not due to reprocessed hard X-ray emission. Instead, it is connected to the UV continuum through warm Comptonization. Variability of the Fe Kα emission lines suggests that the reprocessing region is within ∼10 lt-yr or 3 pc of the central source. The change in AGN type is neither due to obscuration nor due to one-way evolution from Type 1 to Type 2, as suggested in the literature, but may be related to episodic accretion events.

Explaining the luminosity spread in young clusters: proto and pre-main sequence stellar evolution in a molecular cloud environment

Hertzsprung-Russell diagrams of star forming regions show a large luminosity spread. This is incompatible with well-defined isochrones based on classic non-accreting protostellar evo- lution models. Protostars do not evolve in isolation of their environment, but grow through accretion of gas. In addition, while an age can be defined for a star forming region, the ages of individual stars in the region will vary. We show how the combined effect of a protostellar age spread, a consequence of sustained star formation in the molecular cloud, and time-varying protostellar accretion for individual protostars can explain the observed luminosity spread. We use a global MHD simulation including a sub-scale sink particle model of a star forming region to follow the accretion process of each star. The accretion profiles are used to compute stellar evolution models for each star, incorporating a model of how the accretion energy is distributed to the disk, radiated away at the accretion shock, or incorporated into the outer layers of the protostar. Using a modelled cluster age of 5 Myr we naturally reproduce the lumi- nosity spread and find good agreement with observations of the Collinder 69 cluster, and the Orion Nebular Cluster. It is shown how stars in binary and multiple systems can be externally forced creating recurrent episodic accretion events. We find that in a realistic global molecular cloud model massive stars build up mass over relatively long time-scales. This leads to an important conceptual change compared to the classic picture of non-accreting stellar evolution segmented in to low-mass Hayashi tracks and high-mass Henyey tracks.

Feedback of atomic jets from embedded protostars in NGC 1333

Star-formation feedback onto the parent cloud is conventionally examined through the study of molecular outflows. Little is however known on the effect that atomic ejecta, tracing fast shocks, can have on the global cloud properties. In this study we employ Herschel/PACS [OI] and [CII] spectral line maps of the NGC 1333 star-forming region to assess the relative influence of atomic jets onto the star-formation process. Atomic line maps are compared against molecular outflow tracers and atomic ejecta are associated to individual driving sources. We study the detailed morphology and velocity distribution of [OI] line using channel and line-centroid maps and derive the momentum, energy, and mass flux for all the bipolar jets traced by [OI] line emission. We find that the line-centroid maps can trace velocity structures down to 5 km s$^{-1}$ which is a factor of $\sim$20 beyond the nominal velocity resolution reached by Herschel/PACS. These maps reveal an unprecedented degree of details that assist significantly in the association and characterization of jets and outflows. Comparisons of the dynamical and kinematical properties shows that [OI] momentum accounts for only $\sim$1% of the momentum carried by the large scale CO outflows but the energy released through the jets corresponds to 50 - 100% of the energy released in outflows. The estimated ratios of the jet to the outflow momenta and energies are consistent with the results of two-component, nested jet/outflow simulations, where jets are associated to episodic accretion events. Under this scenario, the energy from atomic jets to the cloud is as important as the energy output from outflows in maintaining turbulence and dissipating the cloud gas.